Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From The Hospital #3

When one is in the hospital for a long period of time, especially with limited ability to move and no ability to speak, it is very easy to move into the great library of your own thoughts. It is there that you meet God and there that you evaluate the world around you. It becomes very clear that life reduced to its simplest dimensions is a purgatory; the whole world reduces in importance to being able to grab the call bell or to get a glass of water. You might recall that when you are in a hospital and are unable to speak, you are also unable to eat or drink. Our Lord's frequent use of the idea of water and grace has all the more meaning when you haven't had a glass of water in two months.

In such situations, it is very easy - perhaps almost inevitable - to become a bit infantile. Brother Daniel, Brother Peter and Dave Burns can tell you all about it. Meditating about it makes it all clear that our apparent spiritual growth is rather fragile. As I looked back on my life, the prayer that became a rock inside of my being was "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us". We have always been lambs of God, completely dependent on Christ for everything; but we easily forget this and seldom see our complete spiritual dependency on Christ except at times of great need.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict

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C'mon Padre. It can't be any woise than being from Joisey City. My prayers are with you. - Ben, Dunmore, Pennslylvania

Dear Fr. Benedict: I am so excited to read your message! God is so good, and I thank God for you, and for your faith. You have the prayers of all your fans. I started your book of Rosary meditations today, and felt that you were here, talking to me. May Jesus and Mary always console you. When you are ready, come to St. Thomas to recuperate! Love and prayers. - Claire, St.thomas, Vermont

Wow, Fr. Benedict! Hospital #2 already. One day you were in a Florida hospital and then Hospital #2. Does that mean you are in New York, close to your community? I hope so. I am so thankful that you are improving so much. It is good to have you responding to correspondence. God is GOOD! We thank God for his special mercy and favor for his hand resting on your life. Keep of keeping on. Keep the faith. I Christ Jesus. - Toni, St. Paul, Minnesota

Dear Father Benedict, thank God Almighty you are doing better.When man gives up God does his finest work. I suffer a small bit with lupus and count the suffering as a tool to reside near Jesus's for strength and love. I saw a poem the other day author unknown and want to share it with you. Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty, well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadsided, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow what a ride. Peace be with you, my brother in Christ Jesus. Thank you for your inspiration and words that move me to be a better person on EWTN. - Shelia, DeQueen, Arizona

We thank God for your continued recovery, and especially for the great milestone of the return of your ability to speak. We have all been praying for you since your accident. The Baptist minister's son has also been praying for you, and asks me regularly how you are doing. My wife and I are great fans of yours on EWTN. Our pastor, Fr. Matthew O'Donnell, is one of your former students. We all unanimously agreed that we still need you here, and I guess God agreed. Thanks to the Lord Jesus for continuing to heal you. - Martin, Glencoe, California

Dear Father Benedict, what a joy it is to hear what God is doing in your life! We are all praying for your complete recovery. You bring so much wisdom(with a touch of humor)to the Catholic faith. I enjoy your teachings presented on EWTN so much.I'm a convert to the faith and I have to thank wonderful Church leaders like you and Mother Angelica for leading me to the truth. Thank you so much. Continue to get well and may GOD bless you richly. - Gary, Braford, Tennesse

Dear Fr. Benedict, I know we're not supposed to say the "A" word during Lent but I couldn't help myself when I heard that you had begun to speak. I was at morning Mass and my mother mouthed the words from across the aisle, "He's speaking"! We both broke into big grins and gave each other the thumbs up sign. After Mass the only word that came to mind was "Alleluia"! You continue to be in our prayers and we are so happy to be able to read your messages each day. I guess the Internet really is a 'good thing'. God bless you - Lorrie, Rochester, New York

Dear Father, I do not know you well. I do know you are a man of God, and for me, that inspires my heart. When I found out you had been hurt, I immediately began to pray for you. I find great comfort knowing you belong to us..that you love us and that your are indeed offering your sufferings for us. Your words have given me inspiration and renewal. God bless you, our dear Father. I will continue to pray for you. - Margaret, Fultonville, New York

Father; There is no way you can keep a Jersey City guy down. God bless you. Hope to see you soon at St.Patrick's. - Gene, Hoboken, New Jersey

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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